This is the name which is particularly assigned to God as His special or proper name, that is, the four letters YHWH. This name has not been pronounced by the Jews because of reverence for the great sacredness of the divine name. Therefore, it has been consistently translated LORD.¹

Hebrews were instructed to utter a less holy name -- Adonai or Elohim. "God" is a translation of Elohim. "Lord" is a translation of Adonai.²

The form "Jehovah" is a combination of the consonants of the Divine Name and the vowels attached to it by the Masoretes, but belonging to an entirely different word. The sound of "Y" is represented by "J" and the sound of "W" by "V", as in Latin.³

The four letters YHVH are most likely semi-vowels and not true consonants. That is, Y=I, H=A, V=U, and H=E, resulting in IAUE. This would be pronounced Yahweh (EE-AH-OO-EH).

1. New American Standard Version, 1977. Principles of Translation.
2. New American Standard Version, Loc. cit.
3. Revised Standard Version, 1952. Preface.